Shipping container



Filed Spt. 17, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR. vLUTHER C. W/LL/AMS April29, 1958 c. WILLIAMS SHIPPING CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 17,1953 O m w m L. C. WILLIAMS SHIPPING CONTAINER April 29,, 1958 FiledSept. 17, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 TTO/PNE) April 29, 1953 L. C. WILLIAMS2,832,496

SHIPPING CONTAINER Filed Sept. 17, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JNVENTOR.LUTHER c. Wag/M445 BY ATTORNEY iUnited States Patent a SHIPPINGCONTAINER Luther C. Williams, Denver, Colo. Application September 17,1953, Serial No. 380,838

1 Claim. (Cl. 220-) Among the objects of the present invention is toprovide a shipping container that may be disassembled when not in useand that is designed so that the separate component parts of thecontainer may be nested one within the other.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shipping container madeup of component units in which each of the units forming the maincontainer portion are of identical design and configuration that may bejoined together at their open ends to provide a closed bulk container.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bulk containerthat may be easily loaded for intraplant movement or inter-plantshipment and which may be tightly sealed when loaded.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bulk containeradapted to facilitate movement of large volumes of bulk materials from ashipping point to a point of use, the said container being readilydismantled when empty to facilitate return shipment of the componentparts of such shipping container in nested arrangement whereby the costof return shipment is materially reduced.

A still further object of this invention is to provide novel cam typefastening means for readily securing and holding the component units ofa bulk shipping container together, said fastening means beingcooperatively arranged with respect to slot receptacles on saidcomponent units such that any two units may be joined together to formone container.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the appended description and drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is aperspective view of an assembled shipping container,

Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing the disassembled component units ofa shipping container made in accordance with this invention,

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing a cam lock fastener made in accordancewith this invention in'unlocked position,

Fig. 4 is a second view of the cam lock fastener of Fig. 3 showing thesaid cam lock in closed or locking position,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing one mode of handling shippingcontainers made in accordance with this invention in which the componentunits of the shipping containers are shown in disassembled and nestedarrangement for intra-plant movement or return shipment,

Fig. 6 is a side elevation in partial cross-section showing the centerring structure of component shipping units 2,832,496 Patented Apr. 29,1958 together with a cam lock fastener in position to hold the centerrings of component units in assembled and sealed relation,

Fig. 7 is an elevation in cross-section taken along line 7--7 of Fig. 8,

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a closure member made in accordance withthis invention,

Fig. is a partial elevation showing additional features of the closuremember disclosed in Fig. 8, and

Fig. 10 is a bottom elevation showing the interior configuration of theclosure member shown in Figs. 8 and Briefly stated, the presentinvention provides a shipping container in which the component unitsthat are utilized to make up the carrier are of, identical design, sizeand configuration in order that the open ends of any two such componentunits may be joined together to provide a closed container. in additionto the assembled features of the present invention, the separatecomponent units are further designed such that one unit may be nestedwithin the other or such that a plurality of component units may benested one within the other in order to efficiently use return shipmentor storage facilities. In order to facilitate assembly and disassemblyof the component units, cam fasteners are used cooperatively withopenings in the center support rings to hold joined component unitstogether. Further, a seal member or gasket is provided in each saidcenter ring section to assure liquid and pressure tight seal when thecam fasteners are engaged. Closure members on the outwardly disposedends of the joined composite units are provided to assure easy fillingand emptying of the container. In order to facilitate shipment of such alarge bulk container, the center support ring structure is of channelshape such that a fork lift or other lifting device may be engaged underthe lower channel flange without injury or damage to the cam fastenersengaged to the other channel flange. For different types of handling abase support is provided for attachment to the bottom composite unit sothat the container may be left standing as shown in Fig. 1. Further, thesame lugs that are used to attach the base to the composite units may beutilized together with a sling arrangement in order to hoist ortransport the shipping container along an overhead rail system.

Detailed features of a shipping container embodying the principles ofthis invention are more clearly shown in the attached drawings in whichFig. 1 represents an assembled shipping container. In this figure theseparate component units 21 and 22 which together make up the shippingcontainer 2t? are shown in assembled relation and mounted in uprightposition on a stand or base 23. The detailed structure of each of thecomponent units 21 or 22 is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to include twosections of truncated conical shape. The first or main body section 24is preferably a near cylindrical structure formed of stainless steel,aluminum or other material having requisite structural and chemicalproperties. Actually 'the structure must be of truncated conical shapein which the sides taper inwardly from the cylinder about seven degreesin order to assure nesting of one surface within the other when in thedisassembled shipping position. As shown, the larger or open end of themain body section 24 is welded or otherwise joined to a center ringsupport 26 which is of substantially open channel cross-section. Thechannel shape is utilized, since the separate flanges of the channelwill provide first a flat circular surface or sealing flange 27 whichmay be abutted against mating sealing flange 27 of similar compositeunits 21 or 22 and a separate support flange 28 that is utilized forengagement with various types of carrying mechanisms in order to preventdamage to the sealing flange 27 and fasteners. The other end of the mainbody section 24 is joined as by a seam weld 29 to the open base edge 31of closure section 32 which is likewise of truncated conical shape.Preferably this closure section 32 has side walls disposed at a muchsmaller angle with respect to the base plane of the cone, since the mainpurpose of such closure section is to provide an end wall forthe mainbody section 24 while preventing the formation of any flat surfaceswithin the container which would tend to hold back piles of bulkmaterials when the container is being emptied. Accordingly, the angle assumed by the side walls 33 of the closure section 32 should beapproximately equal to the angle of repose for the type of materialsthat are to be handled by the shipping container.

In order to faciliate loading and unloading of the shipping containerwhen in its assembled relation, various types of doors, valves or gatemechanisms may be attached to the closure section 32. In the presentembodiment 2. door 34 is secured by means of a hinge 36 to a doorsupport member 37 that is itself welded to the closure section 32. Asshown in Figs. 7 through 10, the door 34 is provided with a groove 38cut in its interior face adapted to receive a gasekt 39. It is intendedthat this gasket 39 will be compressed against the door support 37 whenthe door 34 is closed and when the lock mechanism 41 is engaged. Thislock mechanism 41 entails the use of a stud 42 which projects upwardlythrough a notch 43 cut in the door 34. The locking lever 46 which isheld in adjusted position by lock nut 44 may be rotated in position asshown in Fig. 8 to pass through the notch 43. From this disengagedposition the locking lever 46 may be rotated clockwise When the door 34is closed until the undersurface 47 of the lever 46 comes into contactwith a cam ramp 48 thereby applying a downward pressure against the ramp48 and door 34 to compress and seal the gasket 39 disposed in groove 38against the door support 37. Reverse operation of the locking mechanismwill of course release the door, so that the materials may be dumped outthe bottom of the assembled container. 4

It is recognized that for some materials it will be desirable to providemore accurate or even metering discharge of liquid materials enclosed inthe shipping container. For this reason a boss 51 is positionedcentrally of the door 34 to provide an outlet opening 52 that may bethreaded as at 53 to receive a dairy type valve or other valve membernot shown in order to gauge release of the materials contained.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a base member 23 is provided when it isdesired to stand the shipping containers on end. This base 23 is made upof an exterior truncated comically-shaped wall 52 having an open end orbase edge 53 for engagement with the supporting floor surface. Wheredesirable this base edge 53 may be provided with a rolled or other typeof wear ring for increased durability and stability. The outer conicalwall 52 is joined to an interior support conical member 54 which is ofshape substantially corresponding to the shape of the closure section32. Spaced openings 56 are provided in the surface 54 for engagementwith lugs 57 which are welded or otherwise secured to the closuresection 32.

In the embodiment shown the lugs 57 are of substantially channelcross-section such that a passage is provided between the lug 57 and thesurface 32. With this arrangement the base 23 may be connected to thelower composite unit 22 by inserting the lug through the opening 58 androtating the base 23 until the lip 59 is engaged under the lug 57. Whenin this position the lug can only be removed by reverse rotation. Asshown in Fig. 1, the lugs 57 which are used to secure the base 23 mayalso be used when it is desired to hoist the container through use of ahoisting sling 61 or the like. Where this is desirable the hoistingsling 61 is provided with 4 book members 62 which may be engaged withthe lug 57.

In order to realize the full benefit of shipping containers made inaccordance with this invention, it has been found desirable to provide afastener mechanism for holding the separate component units 21 and 22together that may be quickly engaged or disengaged when assemblying ordisassemblying the container. One type of fastener that has been foundto be particularly suited to this purpose is shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and6. will be noted in these figures, a cam type fastener is provided whichtends to draw the two sealing flanges 27 of the center ring 26 togetheras the mating cam surfaces are turned with respect to each other. The

* detailed features of these cam fasteners are shown in Figs. 3, 4 and6, where the numeral 61 indicates the shank of a stud type component 62of the fastener assembly 63. As shown, one end of the stud 62 is provided with threads 65, while the other end has a crosspiece 64integrally formed with the stud 62 to make an assembled T. It should benoted that the cross-piece 64 is itself of elongated shape having awidth substantially equal to the diameter of the shank 61 and a lengthapproximately equal to twice the diameter. The purpose of this shapewill be understood from reference to Figs. 1 and 6, where it will benoted that the seal flanges 27 of center rings 26 are provided withlongitudinal and cross slots 66 and 67 respectively, which are as shown,elongated along the curvature of and cross the seal flanges 27. Withthis structure the cross-head 64 of the stud 62 may be inserted throughthe longitudinal slots 66 and then rotated degrees to a transverseposition such that the cross-arm 64 comes into contact with the interface 68 of the seal flange 27. When it is desirable to remove thefastener assembly 63 in order to separate the separate halves 21 and 22,the cross-piece 64 may be again rotated 90 degrees, so that it will passthrough the longitudinal slots 66.

The elements used to tighten the fastener mechanism include a knurledlock nut 69 having a thread opening therethrough (not shown) which isadapted for engagement with the thread 65 of the stud 62. In addition,mating cam pieces, designated as cam follower 70 and cam 71 areutilized. As shown, the cam piece 71 is of F irregular shape having aflat bottom 72 adapted for engagement with the inter face 68 of sealflanges 27, a substantially cylindrical exterior face 73 and anirregular mating face made up of corresponding cam surfaces 74, each ofwhich extends through an arc of substantially degrees. Said cam faces 74being joined by a vertical face 76. Cam piece 71 further has a centrallydisposed opening through which stud 62 may be passed. In addition, lugs77 are formed on the bottom face 72 and adapted for engagement in thecross slots 67 of seal flanges 27. These lugs 77, it will be observed,are intended to prevent rotation of the cam piece 71 when the camfastener is being engaged.

Cam follower 70, which is provided for mating engagement with cam piece71, is likewise provided with cam faces 79 of design corresponding tothe shape of the cam faces 74. With this arrangement slight rotation ofthe actuator handle 81 will cause considerable relative movement betweencam piece 71 and cam follower 7%. When assembled substantially as shownin Fig. 6, and when the nut 69 is properly adjusted on the thread 65,rotation of handle 81 will cause the mating seal flanges 27 to be drawntogether to compress the seals a2 disposed in grooves 83 cut in themating faces 85 of the seal flanges 27.

When the container is to be disassembled, reverse ro tation of theactuator handle 81 will release the pressure against the inter faces 68thereby breaking the bond between seals 82 and further releasing thestud 62 for rotation. When this is done, cross-pieces 64 may be rotatedto a position where they will pass through the essence longitudinalslots 66 thereby permitting the component units 21 and 22 to beseparated for cleaning, or for storage or return shipment in nestedarrangement.

It should be noted that elongated slots 66 and crossslots 67 are spacedalternately along the seal flange 27. Accordingly, when the container isdisassembled, an equal number of the cam fasteners 63 will remain in thecross slots 67 of each of the component units 21 or 22. Further, sincethe number and spacing of the fasteners 63 carried by one unit 21 or 22corresponds to the number and spacing of elongated slots 66 in any otherunit 21 or 22, any two units may be readily joined together to provide ashipping container.

The primary advantages of this invention are derived from ready assemblyor disassembly, made possible by the novel fasteners, and further fromthe fact that the composite units may be nested when not assembled. Whennested, the units may be stacked vertically, as shown in Fig. 5, orhorizontally along a supporting floor. Where materials are shipped byrail or truck it has been found that as many as eight completecontainers may be nested and shipped in the same space that would beoccupied by one assembled full container. This represents a considerablesaving on return shipment costs. Likewise, storage costs or overhead maybe substantially reduced where containers of this type are used.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, itwill be apparent that the present invention is adaptable to variousmodifications and changes. All such modifications and changes as comewithin the scope of the hereunto appended claim are deemed to be a partof this invention.

What is claimed is:

A shipping container comprising a pair of component sections, eachsection including a main body portion of substantially frusto-conicalshape, said main body portion having its major transverse sectiondisposed toward one open end, an end structure joined to the oppositeend of said main body portion and providing an opening through whichmaterials may be introduced and discharged, a closure member hingedlyjoined to said end structure for selectively closing off said opening, aflange member circumferentially joined to said main body portion andextending outwardly therefrom providing a plane surface disposedsubstantially in the plane of said open end, said pair being joinable inopen end to open end relation with the plane surface of one of said pairin mating contact with the plane surface of the other of said pair toform a closed shipping container, each of said flange members having apredetermined number of slots formed in and arranged in a predeterminedequally spaced relation about said flange member, said slots being oftwo types, a first type extended transversely of said flange member anda second type extended longitudinally of said flange member, with saidslots being alternately arranged so that each one of said first type hasa pair of said second type arranged adjacent and on opposite sidesthereof, said sections in assembled container forming condition havingthe centers of the first type of slots in one section in alignment withthe centers of the second type of slots in the other section, a numberof fasteners corresponding to said predetermined number of slots andeach including first and second parts adapted to be received on oppositesides of said flanges on connection of said sections, with one of saidparts having means thereon adapted to extend across a slot of one ofsaid types in one position and being adapted to move through said slotin another position, whereby when said sections are disconnected bymoving said fastener parts through said one type of slots, equal numbersof said fasteners are retained on each of said pair of sections, andwith said sections being of a shape providing for shipment in a nestedarrangement when empty.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS193,321 Coifin July 24, 1877 268,544 Rusling Dec. 5, 1882 377,648Sinning Feb. 7,, 1888 381,971 Thompson May 1, 1888 550,094 Blundell Nov.19, 1895 1,371,177 Lawrence Mar. 8, 1921 1,457,155 Fey 1 May 29, 19231,620,670 Marsh Mar. 15, 1927 1,630,393 Ledden May 31, 1927 1,798,535Hill Mar. 31, 1931 2,016,171 Matter et a1. Oct. 1, 1935 2,067,581 SmithJan. 12, 1937 2,665,949 Ericson Jan. 12, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 8,458Great Britain 1889 11,942 Great Britain 1893 111,571 Great Britain Dec.6, 1917 543,378 France June 1, 1922

